Work has begun on a AUD$25m (£14.3m, US$22.4m, €16.5m) project to reconnect the city with the beach in Surfers Paradise on Australia's Gold Coast.

Funded by AUD$20m (£11.5m, US$18m, €13.2m) from the Gold Coast City Council and AUD$5m (£2.9m, US$4.5m, €3.3m) from the Queensland State Government, the Surfers Paradise Foreshore Masterplan is part of a AUD$90m (£51.5m, US$80.8m, €59.4m) 'economic stimulus' package to improve infrastructure in the city and create jobs for the region.

The redeveloped foreshore will be split into three zones; urban plaza, urban beach and urban park. Urban plaza is the central area and will boast a pedestrian promenade, bikeway, seating, beach shelters, terraces and stairs to the beach. On either side will be grassed areas, picnic tables and barbecues. New toilet blocks, beach showers and seating will also be introduced.

The scheme, which will be carried out in three phases, is due to be completed by June 2011 and also includes additional work on the foreshore in front of the new Soul development on The Esplanade, to be carried out and funded by the centre's owner, Juniper Group.

The masterplan was endorsed by the city council in 2007 and in September 2009, following a series of stakeholder consultations and a community open day where the designs were made available to the public, Abigroup Contractors were appointed to undertake the redevelopment.